News story: British personnel to join EU Mali mission

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The objective of the EU Training Mission is to enable the Malian authorities to restore democratic order, re-establish the states authority and neutralise organised crime and the terrorist threat.
An infantry training team and a mortar and artillery training team will deploy to Mali to work with Malian Armed Forces personnel currently fighting violent extremists in the African country.
The UK will not be providing troops in a combat role or force protection for the mission - that role is being carried out by French and Czech personnel - but will provide 4 headquarters staff and 3 civilians under the Foreign & Commonwealth Offices Preventing sexual violence initiative who will be responsible for human rights and gender awareness training.
Twenty-one troops from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment will carry out the infantry training and 12 personnel the mortar and artillery training.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:

British personnel will play an important role in the EU Training Mission, enabling the Malian authorities to restore order and deny a safe haven to terrorists.​

This mission is a further demonstration of our commitment to tackle violent extremism and the threat that it poses to our national interests.​

The EU Training Mission is being launched in Brussels today and marks a significant partnership between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Ireland will contribute 6 infantry training personnel to augment the UK infantry training team.
Mr Hammond continued:

We welcome the Irish contribution which will help develop further working relations between our 2 countries.​